Funny ads

I have been noticing a funny trend to ads lately.
People will be advertising a "Like New" item, that is a wonderful performer, perfect eyepiece, marvelous telescope, ect, ect, never used, used once or twice! For sale a a great loss!
Now I do not doubt for a minute that it is new as claimed, but I just don't understand how some one could buy a great item and either never use it or use it one or twice and then sell it for a big loss. 8O Or say it is a wonderful performer if they only used it once or even never!
It is nice for the buyer, because they can pick up a good deal, but I just can't help but scratch my head about the sale. :S
Floyd

I've got some good new pieces that were duplicated when I bought a couple of package deals. I'll sell the new pieces since I think I can get a little more for them but I am willing to take much less simply because I don't need them. The used ones are perfectly functional.

I have bought a couple of "like new" piece that don't quite match up to their description. Not enough to leave bad feedback, just not quite up to expectations. Of course that could just be my expectations.

Hello Floyd,

I ride motorcycles and you should see the very expensive bikes with no mileage on them that are traded in.

I remember a $10K bike that the owner had custom painted and tweaked and then he traded it in with less than 300 miles on the odometer. He took a better than $5K loss in less than two months.

Sometimes a bike is traded in with fewer than 100 miles!!! I've never been able to figure that one out.

Right now the dealer must have 50 bikes with fewer that 2K on their odometers. I guess guys must fantasize about riding and then find out that it rains, gets hot, cold, and dark and figure that the old car with the a/c and heater was better after all.

Maybe would-be astronomers neglect the fact that the weather and mosquitoes don't always make astronomy such a pleasurable experience

Man, I agonize over a purchase so long that when I do finally get something, it gets used.

See you. I enjoy your posts, btw.

Tom B.
Baton Rouge, LA

It's the "thrill of the hunt"!

Could this trend you've noticed be based on our primordial hunter/gatherer ancestors? I find myself fixating on an object (scope/eyepiece/accessory, etc.) and will spend days or weeks hunting down prospective targets. Once located, I pounce - pays the price and waits for delivery. When finally "mine", I relish in its newness and the addition to my collection of "stuff".

Soon, the newness is worn off, the latest addition used and is either up to expectations or not. Now, depending on the bank account - I can return to the hunt. With sufficent funds, more stuff is tracked. A low balance will dictate another type of hunt required - one that our ancestors would have a hard time understanding - CASH! Then a choice must be made; sell off parts my collection or work more for more money. Personal circumstances will decide the path taken.

Now, back to the hunt. Got my eye on a few choice morsels in the classsified section...